University of Michigan Free Online Course on Social Work: Research

The University of Michigan is offering free online course on Social Work: Research. The course integrates the core themes related to multiculturalism and diversity; social justice and social change; promotion, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation; and behavioral and social science research.

In this eight-week course, applicants will learn about the importance of an evidence-based approach in social work practice and how to conduct effective research. This course will start on October 31, 2017.

Providers’ Details

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

About This Course

This course will cover:

Quantitative and qualitative research methods

Commonly used statistical procedures

Approaches to the evaluation of practice

Why Take This Course?

Learn how to understand and appreciate a scientific approach to building practice knowledge and for evaluating practice, and to use research to advocate for clients and inform policy. Special emphasis will be placed on increasing one’s ability to formulate research questions, apply research methods, conduct statistical analysis, and interpret research reports. The latest statistical, graphical, and display technologies will be used.

Learning Outcomes

Act as a critical consumer and contributor of the design, methodology, and conclusions of social work and social and behavioral science research publications.

Know the NASW Code of Ethics and appropriately apply it in the conduct of social work research.

Instructors

Brian E. Perron

Brian is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan’s School of Social Work. Dr. Perron received his Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis and a specialization in Data Science from Johns Hopkins University.

Requirements

How To Join This Course

EdX offers honor code certificates of achievement, verified certificates of achievement, and XSeries certificates of achievement. Currently, verified certificates are only available in some courses.

Once applicant sign up for a course and activate their account, click on the Log In button on the edx.org homepage and type in their email address and edX password. This will take them to the dashboard, with access to each of their active courses. (Before a course begins, it will be listed on their dashboard but will not yet have a “view course” option.)